The FORMAT statement changes a
SAS variable format from its default format; the default format is based on the
database item's data type. You can enter as many formats as necessary in one FORMAT statement.
variable-identifier can
be one of the following:
-
the current SAS variable name for the item
Note: Any name on the left side
of the equal sign (=) must be a SAS name, not a SYSTEM 2000 name.
In an access descriptor, if the ASSIGN statement is omitted, you must
enter the item number or component number (C-number) on the left side
of the equal sign (=).
-
the positional equivalent, which
is the number that represents the item, as specified in the LIST statement
-
the SYSTEM 2000
C-number of the database item
For example, if you want to associate the DATE9. format with the fifth item in the
access descriptor, submit the following statement:
format 5 date9.;
You can use only the FORMAT statement with a
view descriptor if ASSIGN= NO was specified when the access descriptor was created. When used in
a
view descriptor, the FORMAT statement automatically selects the reformatted item. That
is, if you change the format associated with an item, you do not have to issue a SELECT
statement for that item. FMT is an
alias.
Note: You cannot specify the FORMAT
statement for a record.